CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S NEW POLICY OF 'COLLECTIVE SELF DEFENCE'
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Japan's cabinet has approved a landmark change in security policy, paving the way for its military to fight overseas, by reinterpreting the law instead of amending the Constitution. The reinterpretation now allows Japan to resort to "collective self-defence". This obviates the need for a public referendum. Mr Abe emphasised that the change would not lead to involvement in foreign wars and informed a press conference that "There is a misunderstanding that Japan will be involved in war in an effort to defend a foreign country, but this is out of the question. It will be strictly a defensive measure to defend our people. We will not resort to the use of force in order to defend foreign forces."
While one individual set himself on fire on Sunday, thousands of people joined a protest in Tokyo on June 30 to oppose the change. Critics described it as the first step towards amending Article 9 of the constitution.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that the new policy "raises doubts about Japan's approach to peaceful development", and accused Japan of "hyping the China threat". He urged "Japan to sincerely respect the rightful concerns of neighbouring Asian countries, diligently solve any related issues, and not affect China's rights and the stability of the region."
South Korea has also objected saying it will "not tolerate" the move.
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